HORSES

If you know any stories by veteranarian James Herriot, who wrote "All Creatures Great and Small", you have heard of the wild and remote Yorkshire Dales country in England. This region is the home of the Dales pony, one of the nine British native breeds. Like the people of Yorkshire, the Dales ponies are hard workers. Originally they helped to bring lead from the mines in the region, over the hills to the port cities 400 kilometers (250 miles) away. Carrying loads as heavy as 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of lead and fuel, they were tied together in "pack strings" of up to twenty ponies eack, led by one rider. They would travel as far as 80 kilometers (50 miles) a day. Then, when they reached the shore, their packs were removed-- only to be replaced by a heavy load of coal for the journey home! It's no wonder the Dales ponies gained a reputation for sure-footedness, strength and great endurance.

Because Yorkshire folks also loved to have trotting races, they bred their ponies to have flashy action and speed at the trot. Today, Dales ponies still make wonderful driving ponies, who always look smart hitched to a gleaming little carriages. Dales ponies come in several solid colors, including black, bay, brown, and gray, with only small white markings. They have round compact bodies, and especially hard, tough feet, with long, silky "feathers" just above their hoofs. They are known for their calm, yet cheeky personalities!

Pony Fact

One farmer loved his Dales pony too much to see him drafted for use by the British Army in the First World War, so he hid him in he kitchen while an army captian waited in the front room!

Emily, 12, Ontario, Canada



Hi, my name is Katie and I`d like to talk about animals with you. I'd like to talk to you about horses today. There are many different breeds of horses and mine is an appolosa. These horses are generally good spirited. My horse`s name is Dasiy and you can probably tell by the name she's a mare, ( Girl).
Horses are great compainons and very fun to ride! You must have a well trained horse and a very dependable veteranarian. Speaking of vets, you should research a vet before you research a horse. As for saddling and grooming you should generally have someone in person teach you how to do these things. If you don't have the option of your horse living at home with you, you should board it, as I do.

You should also research carefully what stables you choose. Boarding basically entails a place for your horse to stay, a person to feed your horse, and grooming, also the removal of waste. I groom my horse myself but if you don`t have that much time this is good. You may go out to the stables when ever you want and ride your horse on their trails if the case is they have one. This is obviously in exchange for money. Well, I hope I gave you enough to start with!

Katie, 12 years old, Illinois